Officials Promote Bulletproof Vests For Safety Officers

Western Broward County may be long way away from the high-crime areas of Dade County.

But even in a quiet, western Broward bedroom community such as Coconut Creek, police officers should wear bulletproof vests, officials there said.

And the city should pick up the tab, those officials said.

``We`ve had no gun battles,`` said Coconut Creek Police Chief John Whalen, who wants the city to pay for the vests. ``But officers are always vulnerable and we want them to have the best.``

Tonight, the City Council will consider a proposal from City Manager Dennis Mele that the city pay up to $200 each for bulletproof vests for the 38 public safety officers who are trained to work as police officers and firefighters.

If the council approves the proposal, officers would be reimbursed for buying their vests.

Mayor Sam Goldsmith hinted his support of the proposal, recalling that the fatal shootings of two Metro-Dade police officers by an ex-convict in November are a sharp reminder of how dangerous police work can be.

Charles Street, of Boynton Beach, was charged in the shooting deaths of Metro-Dade officers Richard Boles and David Strzalkowski.

The two officers were disarmed and shot with their revolvers.

``Our police officers are in harm`s way daily,`` Goldsmith said, ``and anything we can do to protect them is worth it.``

Many officers wear vests, especially those on the night shift, said Judie Weinflash, city public information officer.

If the proposal is approved, officers would have the option of wearing vests. It is not a requirement.

The idea of cities paying for bulletproof vests for police officers is nothing new in west Broward.

For example, Margate, Coconut Creek`s neighbor to the west, has paid for vests for officers for 10 years, said Lanny Wyatt, public information officer.

``Fortunately, we`ve never had an officer shot here,`` Wyatt said. ``But you never know when someone will have a gun.``

So Margate city officials want their officers to be prepared, Wyatt said.

The Coconut Creek council will meet at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1071 NW 45th Ave.

For more information about the meeting, call the Office of the City Clerk at 972-4820.